MyNWC

Blackboard

Public Relations

Courses in the public relations major seek to develop Christian perspectives on the media, on the ways media serve and might serve their communities, and on the roles our graduates will play within media organizations. These courses are complemented by the leadership and production experience students gain as members of Crosswalk Media, a departmental production group serving the broader community, and the Beacon, the college newspaper. The public relations major requires an internship—and excellent internship opportunities are available in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Chicago.

Major requirements:

COM 101x - Mass Media and Society

Examines the historical development, organization and structure of the mass media in contemporary society, as well as related issues and problems. Suggests Christian perspectives on use of and participation in the mass media. (4 credits)

COM 185 - Media Writing

No course description available.

COM 215 - Practicum in Public Relations *

Practical experience in public relations related projects such as publicity, promotions, employee and customer relations, special events, advertising, Web design, corporate research, grant writing, and human resources development and training. Project sites and sponsors may be campus departments and organizations, community businesses, and non-profit organizations. Prerequisites: completion of, or enrollment in, any of the following courses: COM230, 261, 263, 315, 332, 355, and ENG288, or permission of instructor. (1 credit)Note: Graded on a pass/no pass basis. Course may be repeated.

COM 225 - Media Law and Ethics

This class explores the ethical and legal judgments of media professionalsboth past and present in an attempt to reveal the process by which importantcommunications decisions are made. By exploring the successes and failuresof others, students will learn to hone their own decision-making skills.They will also learn how the law affects their field and ultimately thedecision-making processes of members of the media. Finally, this course willshow students there is no such thing as a universal ethic and that their ownprinciples will not always agree with the principles of others. Studentswill come to understand the differences between secular ethicalconsiderations and their own Christian values. Prerequisite: COM101. (2 credits)

COM 230 - Principles of Public Relations

Introduction to the field of public relations. Its focus is on public relations theory and practice with an emphasis on emerging trends. This course is offered as an overview covering public relations history, theories, strategies and tactics. (3 credits; alternate years, consult department)

COM 312 - Advanced Public Relations: Strategy & Implementation

This course is designed to further define the ethical practice of publicrelations, as well as give experience in the research, design, presentationand evaluation of a public relations campaign for a client. Prerequisites: COM185WI and COM230. (4 credits)

COM 332 - Social Foundations of Advertising

The primary objectives of this course are knowledge integration and skills application. By conceiving, researching, creating, executing, and evaluating a comprehensive advertising communication plan that incorporates research, creative, media, and promotions, students will understand how various components work together to provide a client with a cohesive campaign that communicates their message. Students will give a formal oral presentation to their client that includes a usable campaign and all the creative materials needed to execute the campaign. (3 credits; alternateyears, consult department)

COM 355 - Organizational Communication

Examination of the role of communication within and between organizations. Attention to communication tasks within an organization such as news releases, memo writing, conducting meetings, and communicating to an organization's constituencies. (4 credits; alternate years)

COM 417 - Internship

Experience in an approved internship.(4 credits may apply toward the major)

This course is designed to be an upper- level course providing in-depth and additional knowledge and/or skill in specific discipline areas that are not well covered in the current curriculum. Topics will vary according to students' interests and needs, changes and developments in the communication discipline and practice, and faculty skills and interest. Potential topics may include additional instruction in advertising, public relations, magazine writing, advanced news writing and editing, advanced video editing, digital video directing, and international and intercultural communication. Prerequisites: to be determined by department. (2-4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

COM 330 - Multiplatform Communications

Communication platforms are converging, and modern communicators must becapable of telling stories in a variety of ways. This course exploresmultiplatform storytelling and enables students to translate content fromtraditional print media forms to digital platforms. Students will learn tocreate appropriate content for websites, blogs, social media platforms andtablet devices. They will also learn to make decisions about which platformsare most appropriate for the telling of various story types. Prerequisite: ART220 or COM263. (4 credits, non-yearly, consult department)

COM 340 - News Writing and Editing

Principles of clear and forceful journalistic writing. Includes factgathering, story planning, lead and head writing. Attention to editing forimproved copy, headline writing, and selection of photographs and art work. Prerequisite: COM185WI or permission of instructor. (4 credits, non-yearly,consult department)

COM 400 - Advanced Journalism

Theory and practice of writing and reporting for, as well as leading, community newspapers--weeklies and smaller dailies. Topics include investigating local government, reporting on meetings, reporting on religion, developing local sources of information, understanding the roles of the newspaper within the community, forming relationships of trust with sources and readers, and dealing with common ethical issues. (3 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

ENG 235 - Introduction to Rhetorical Studies

This course functions primarily as an introduction to rhetoric and rhetorical analysis. It is designed to introduce students to the major and the minor in writing and rhetoric. Topics include the rhetoric of ancient Greece, definitions of rhetoric, past and present, rhetorical analysis of texts, and analysis of the rhetor's purpose, situation, genre and audience. (2 credits)Note: Students should attempt to take at least on other course that includessignificant writing assitnments during the same semester.

ENG 288 - Writing in the Professions

A study of professional writing. In a writing workshop setting, students will learn to adjust style, tone and content to accomplish a definite purpose with an identified audience. They will also learn strategies for creating texts that are clear, concise and accurate. The course is especially useful for those whose career goals require facility in written communication, such as those studying marketing, public relations, advertising, management or law. All students will choose a professional to be their mentor on a writing project related to the career they are interested in. Students will also build a small portfolio of professional writing that includes letters, a memo, a resume and a research report. Prerequisites: sophomore class standing. (2 credits)

ENG 297 - The Rhetoric of Persuasion

A study of the methods of persuasion: logical and emotional appeals and trustworthiness, ways of structuring arguments, and persuasive style. Students will learn to create and critique arguments on a variety of subjects. Prerequisites: sophomore class standing or permission of instructor. (4 credits)

Choose at least one course:

ART 164 - Photography I

Taught as a medium of creative expression or as an art form and as a journalistic tool. Film processing and printing are taught as well as camera techniques, darkroom procedures and presentation of work for exhibitions. (2 credits) A fee is associated with this course.

ART 220 - Graphic Design I

Graphic Design I is an introduction to the computer applications used in thecommunication, design and publishing fields. There will be an introductionto graphic design problems and projects in order to learn how theseapplications all work together. (4 credits)

ART 320 - Graphic Design II

Graphic Design II is a course for students to gain the understanding of whatgood design is and how to clearly communicate with it. Students will producefinished examples of graphic design with a specific use in mind such asadvertising, public information, business communication, etc. Prerequisite: ART220. (4 credits)

COM 263 - Layout and Design

Covers basic principles of design as they apply to a wide variety of publications. Emphasis on selecting type, art and graphics appropriate to subject matter, purpose and audience. (3 credits)

COM 315 - Writing and Design for the Web

Study of writing and design for a Web environment. Students will analyze Internet sites and design sites of their own, using a standard program for Web design. Prerequisites: Any of the following: COM263, ART220, ART230, or permission of instructor. (3 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

Cognate Requirements

BUS 200 - Principles of Marketing

This course introduces students to marketing terminology; defines the elements necessary in moving a product, service or idea from concept to market sales; and enables students to understand and replicate the marketing process at an entry level. (4 credits)

BUS 201 - Principles of Management

This course introduces the student to the basic principles of management. It includes the understanding of manager's actions in the work place, on the organization and employees. It includes the study of basic management tools and techniques. (2 credits)

Choose one course:

BUS 309 - Human Resource Management

Students study the development of human resources management, including history, policies, practices and applications. Specific attention is paid to the study of the processes involving the management of human resources and its legal environment. Prerequisites: BUS201 or permission of instructor. (3 credits)

This is an introductory course in economics which will cover both microeconomics and macroeconomics topics. The course will explore economic institutions, how they came to be, how they have changed over time, and how the government modifies them.Note: The course is not open to business or economics majors. (4 credits)(NWCore option under Self and Society)

Total credits required: 52

Notes:

*COM215 is a 1 credit course to be taken twice.

**COM310 must be a topic in Public Relations.

Internships range from 2-12 credits. The maximum credits applied to the major are noted under the 417 course designation.